Best Binoculars for Birding | Ratings of Binoculars for Bird Viewing

Looking for the best Audubon binoculars? Our experts review the best binoculars for birding with ratings of zoom, wide angle, giant & compact birding binoculars.

Do you like to spend your lazy afternoons watching birds of prey soar across the bright blue sky? Finding right pair of birding binoculars to meet your needs will make your observations all the more exciting and accessible.

But if you have a mind to pick up some binoculars for bird viewing, it will definitely be in your best interest to do some research about what to look for. A good pair of birding binocs are designed in a very particular way, making them specifically suited to the task of tracking and studying those majestic winged creatures.

Binoculars for Bird Viewing: What to Look For

When it comes to finding the best birding binoculars for your needs, there are a number of factors to keep in mind.

Portability

Compact birding binoculars are the best for watching birds of all kinds. Small in size and light in weight, these devices can be carried with you anywhere. Unless you’re setting up a stationary location from which to watch birds in the wild, you’ll want to make sure your binocs are as portable as can be.

Premium Prisms

While porro prisms may be cheaper, they are also much heavier than your best option, which is to get a pair of binocs with roof prisms. These are lightweight, top notch glass constructions that are perfect for spying birds in their nests and flying high.

Lens Size

For bird watching, the smaller the magnification is, the better it will perform. 8x is an ideal setting for birding glasses, but even smaller is great. This goes hand in hand with the idea that compact design and portability is a key to the success of these kinds of specs.

Durability

The best binoculars out there—both birding and other—will be very durable products. When you’re searching for your perfect pair of bird watching binocs, try to find ones that are waterproof, fog proof, dust proof, and shock proof. This will allow you to take them with you wherever and whenever you go.

Birding Binocular Ratings: The Best of the Best

Find the perfect pair of birding binoculars can be a daunting task—there are just so many models to choose from. Just as you would with any other big ticket purchase, you need to make sure you do your homework before laying down your hard-earned cash.

To help get you started in your great birding binocs quest, here’s a look at a few of the best models out there.

Budget Birding Binoculars

Pentax DCF NV 8×36

Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8×32

Nikon Action 7×35 EX Extreme

Mid-Range Birding Binoculars

Steiner 8×42 Merlin

Nikon 8×42 Monarch ATB

Steiner 8.5×26 Wildlife Pro

Serious Birding Binoculars

Zeiss Victory T FL 8×42

Leica Ultravid HD 8×42

Nikon EDG 8×42

Of course these aren’t your only options when it comes to buying great binoculars for birding, but they are a great place to start. No matter what your budget may be, with a pair of these binocs strapped around your neck, you’ll be sure to catch all your favorite avian wonders in action.